Dairy
American Cheese
American cheese is a mild processed or process-style cow’s-milk cheese sold as slices, loaves, or blocks, engineered for smooth melt and consistent flavour. Colour is typically pale to bright orange from annatto; taste is salty, creamy, and gently tangy without the complexity of aged natural cheeses. It is the classic burger and grilled-cheese melt in the United States and is also used in sandwiches and sauces. Products labelled American cheese may be pasteurised process cheese or related standards of identity with defined dairy and moisture limits.
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History
Kraft’s process-cheese patent enabled the packaged American cheese industry.
Sliced process American cheese became standard in wartime and post-war home kitchens.
Individually wrapped American slices defined the supermarket form still used today.
Deli white and yellow American loaves expanded food-service melt applications.
Craft burgers and diners kept American cheese central despite growth of natural cheese melts.